Our Services
Blood Flow Restriction Therapy (BFRT)
What is BFRT?
By definition, blood flow restriction training is the brief and intermittent occlusion of arterial and venous blood flow using a tourniquet on an individual's arm or leg while at rest or exercising.
How does BFRT work and what are the benefits?
By decreasing the blood flow (and therefore oxygen) to a muscle while performing low intensity exercise, we're creating an anaerobic environment which through a complex series of events increases the recruitment of Type 2 (fast-twitch) muscle fibers and significantly increases growth hormone leading to muscle hypertrophy.
When we are injured, in pain, or immobilized we’re typically unable to exercise at an intensity which typically results in muscle growth. Think of the saying "if you don't use it, you lose it".
Research shows that there is significant atrophy of type 2 muscle fibers after just 10 days of detraining.
The great thing about blood flow restriction training is we are able to use the cuff and exercise at a low, more tolerable intensity while enabling our muscles to adapt as if we are working at a higher load (but with less pain, less muscle damage, etc).
Goal in rehab setting:
- Improve muscle strength, reduce muscle damage, and promote growth to muscles both below and above the cuff.
- Promote bone healing and improve bone density through demands on the muscle.
Watch this video to learn more about BFRT: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j63O9fpP1xc
Who benefits from BFRT?
BFRT can be used for a wide range of individuals. There is evidence that this intervention can be effective for those who are bedridden, casted, braced, pre or post-operative status, the elderly, and the athletic population.
There are a lot of different protocols that can be used based on the goals of the patient/clinician, so it's really an intervention that can benefit almost anyone.
Is BFRT Safe?
Blood flow restriction training is 100% safe.
However, since we are manipulating an individual's blood flow to their extremity for a brief period of time, we have a detailed screening process to make sure the patient is appropriate for this intervention.
For more information contact our specialists:
Carter White DPT, OCS, COMT - Post Surgical Rehab, Sports Injuries, General Orthopedics, Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) Therapy, Shoulder, Knee, Hip DPT, OCS, COMT
Specialization: Sports-related injuries of the shoulder, knee and foot/ankle, post-surgical rehabilitation including ACL reconstruction, rotator cuff tears, total joint replacements, general orthopedic conditions, BFRT (Blood Flow Restriction Training), and manual therapy
Carter is a Board Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist and Certified Orthopedic Manual Therapist whose passion for rehabilitation began at a young age when he was recovering from a competitive powerlifting injury. His area of expertise is sports medicine and post-surgical rehabilitation with an emphasis on shoulder, knee, and hip. Carter has enjoyed working with a wide range of orthopedic conditions, from the pediatric population to professional and Olympic level athletes.
Carter attended Mississippi State University where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology while working for MSU Sports Medicine as a member of the Strength and Conditioning Staff. He then went on to earn his Doctorate of Physical Therapy at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in 2008. He completed extensive training to become a Certified Orthopedic Manual Therapist through the Maitland curriculum in 2011, and then completed his board certification as an Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS) through the American Physical Therapy Association in 2018.
Outside of work, Carter enjoys working on his own strength and conditioning, participating in a wide variety of outdoor activities, and spending time with friends and family.
email: carterwh@acacpt.com
Krysten Malcolm PT, DPT, OCS - Dance & performing arts medicine, Sports injuries, Manual therapy, Dry needling Certified, General orthopedics PT, DPT, OCS
Specialization: Dance and performing arts medicine, sports injuries, manual therapy, dry needling certified, general orthopedics
Krysten discovered the field of physical therapy after sustaining a minor injury while dancing at Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre. When she entered school at Elon University, she knew that she wanted to be a physical therapist and performed her honors thesis on the biomechanics of balance. Upon completing her BS in Exercise Science, she then went on to physical therapy school where she earned her doctorate from The George Washington University, completing an internship with the Johns Hopkins Performing Arts Medicine program.
After spending time working in a sports medicine clinic, focusing on the treatment of youth athletes, she joined the team at Neurotour Physical Therapy, a leading National physical therapy company that focuses on supporting entertainers and performers from Broadway, touring, and local theater and dance companies. Over her tenure at Neurotour, she had the opportunity to work with 30+ productions, and was the resident physical therapist for a national Broadway tour, a professional dance company, and an international concert tour - treating the cast and crew before, during, and after each performance.
Krysten is a Board Certified Orthopaedic Clinical Specialist and is also certified in dry needling and blood flow restriction training. Additionally, she has a strong background in rehabilitation-based pilates intervention.
When she's not treating in the clinic, Krysten enjoys working out, hiking with her dog, horseback riding, and spending time with family and friends.
email: krystenm@acacpt.com
Rebecca Schock MPT - General orthopedics, Sports injuries, Post-surgical rehab, Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) therapy, Jaw disorders, Shoulder, Hip, Spine MPT
Specialization: General orthopedics including post surgical care and sports related injuries with special interest in shoulder impingement/rotator cuff rehabilitation, hip, knee, spine and jaw disorders, vestibular rehab/BPPV, BFRT (Blood Flow Restriction Training). SFMA/FMS certified
Rebecca was active in sports growing up, including field hockey, snow skiing, and competitive figure skating. She always wanted to know how to get over an injury as fast as possible to return to sport. She also witnessed her brother experience a spinal fusion at a young age, and therefore was introduced to Physical Therapy as a profession early on.
She received her B.S.Ed. in Sports Medicine from the University of Virginia (Go Hoos!) in 1992, and then moved to Atlanta to receive her MPT from Emory University in 1995. In 1997 she returned to Charlottesville and worked first in inpatient rehabilitation, then directed a brain injury center, and then moved on to a short stint at a long-term care facility. She returned to outpatient orthopedics 15 years ago, and enjoys diagnosing and treating various conditions to improve functional mobility and quality of life.
Rebecca enjoys spending time with her daughters (when they are available!), running, hiking, skiing, traveling, and hanging out with friends.
email: rebeccas@acacpt.com
Carter White DPT, OCS, COMT - Post Surgical Rehab, Sports Injuries, General Orthopedics, Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) Therapy, Shoulder, Knee, Hip
Krysten Malcolm PT, DPT, OCS - Dance & performing arts medicine, Sports injuries, Manual therapy, Dry needling Certified, General orthopedics